The Polestar 3 does 76.3 mpg combined (79.7 city, 73.1 highway), which works out to about $503 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: Electric does 96.4 mpg while 2L 4-cyl Hybrid does 26 — a difference of $1,079 a year. Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 99.7 mpg.
Every Polestar 3 engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | 102.8 / 90 | 2022–2026 | $398 | |
| 2L 4-cyl Hybrid | 22 / 31 | 2020–2021 | $1,477 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.042 |
| Fuel per year | $503 |
| Fuel over five years | $2,515 |
| Against other Electric cars | +$118 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $1,407 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 79.7 mpg | $482 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 73.1 mpg | $525 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +-6.6 mpg (-8%) | Narrow — equally happy either way |
How the 3 changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 105 / 89 | 1 | $396 | |
| 2025 | 105 / 86 | 1 | $404 | |
| 2024 | 112 / 100 | 1 | $362 | |
| 2023 | 98 / 91 | 1 | $404 | |
| 2022 | 94 / 84 | 1 | $431 | |
| 2021 | 22 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2020 | 22 / 31 | 1 | $1,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Polestar 3 get?
76.3 mpg combined on average — 79.7 in the city and 73.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2020–2026.
How much does a Polestar 3 cost in fuel per year?
About $503 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $2,515 over five years, or 0.042 dollars a mile.
Which 3 engine is the most economical?
The Electric at 96.4 mpg, against 26 for the 2L 4-cyl Hybrid — a difference of about $1,079 a year.
Is the 3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other Electric cars it sits below the average of 99.7 mpg, computed across 540 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.